A visual overview of age related changes by organ system includes consequences of functional and physiologic changes. Please download and share.

PHI Cheat Sheet

After attending a two-day training on coaching-leadership (PHI Institute), partner staffs asked for a ‘cheat sheet’ on key skills introduced in the workshop. Developed by ECLEPs Team, this easy reference can be attached to a clipboard or back side of name badge, or other handy place!

The cheat sheet bullets the Primary Coaching Skills including key descriptors of each skill, and provides a step approach to Presenting the Problem.

This document was developed in June 2010 by faculty from Rogue Community College and Oregon Health & Science School of Nursing, Ashland. The purpose of this document is to list essential concepts related to Gerontological nursing that fit within the OCNE chronic illness courses. This document can also be useful for faculty planning to integrate gerontological content into any existing courses.

Developed by Terry Ross of Oregon Health and Science University. The purpose of this learning activity is to provide the student with an opportunity to experience a therapeutic relationship with a resident who has dementia.

This assignment is used in a four day rotation for 2nd year nursing students in long term care. It focuses on the resident-centered aspects of culture change that enhance students' appreciation for older adults and the transition to alternative living situations. This rotation is also designed to increase awareness and desirability of working with residents in alternate health care settings.

Prepares students to use the Katz Basic Activities of Daily Living Scale and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (Lawton & Brody). Students identify functional abilities and limitations of older adults, and demonstrate competencies in functional assessment of the older adults.

Students visit an older adult over one quarter or semester, conduct falls risk assessment and other relevant assessments for older adults, identify risk factors, and make nursing recommendations based on research. A benefit is the relationship that students develop with their older adult, and awareness of the rich lives people have had despite current co-morbidities and frailty.

Students work with an older adult and inventory their medicine cabinet, complete a nursing assessment, analyze the information obtained for potential and actual drug interactions, and develop a teaching plan tailored to the older adult.

This is an excellent resource developed by ECLEPs Partners to assist nurses, other health professionals, and others who work with older adults to develop and evaluate nine competencies for working with older adults. All resources may be downloaded from the website for free.

Population-based Care Conference

Developed by Cyndee McDaniel, RN, MS, of OHSU School of Nursing.

The Population Health course requires both a community assessment and a service-learning project at a partner agency site or in a community setting. Students present their project for peer review at a community practice conference during the 10th week of the term. Findings from these activities are summarized by students into 15 minutes with powerpoint or other visual materials. This clinical assignment has been successfully conducted by students in ECLEPS partner settings in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

Using a self-contained kit of materials student can simulate various sensory changes and gain understanding of the physical, social, emotional, and psychological challenges associated with sensory changes.

Students work with or observe an older adult and their family member (or caregiver) during a time that they are being discharged from one setting to another. Utilizing a worksheet the student explores all of the issues that should be taken into consideration by nursing to assure a smooth transition, particularly communication between facilities and the older adult’s functional status.

Evidence Based Practice Resources Associated with Care of Older Adults

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (website): Provides many reports, resources, and clinical guidelines relevant to caring for older adults. AHRQ is available here with videos, TeamStepps slides, lecture notes, and other learning activities designed to improve interdisciplinary communication.

These resources were developed with financial support from the Oregon Department of Human Services (Grant Agreement # 150472: Academic and Practice Partnerships to Strengthen Care for Older Adults in Residential and Assisted Living Settings, J. Cartwright, PI).